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2003.08.30

Top US officials' private data for sale on Internet

To demonstrate the lack of protection for personal data in the United States, the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights says that it was able to purchase the social security numbers of CIA chief George Tenet, Attorney General John Ashcroft and Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao for $26 on the Internet. Possession of an individual's social security number is often enough to gain access to their medical files, bank records and credit history. Click here to see a report by Agence France Presse.